The Yemeni Ministry of Interior issued strict ministerial directives aimed at ending the security and administrative chaos plaguing the interim capital, Aden, in a move seeking to bolster state authority and enforce law and order. These directives come in response to the urgent need to unify security decision-making and eliminate overlapping jurisdictions that have negatively impacted the city's stability and the performance of its government institutions.
Details of the guidelines to enhance stability
The directives emphasized the need for all security and military units to adhere to their assigned duties in accordance with the law and to refrain from any interference in the work of local authorities and executive offices. The instructions also stressed the importance of removing arbitrary security checkpoints that impede the movement of citizens and goods, and of working to eliminate all illegal armed presence within the city, thereby ensuring a safe and stable environment for residents and for the legitimate government to function.
General context and historical background
These directives are particularly important given the complex context Aden has experienced since its liberation from the Houthi militia in 2015. Over the past years, the city has suffered from a multiplicity of security formations and conflicting loyalties, often leading to armed clashes and security breaches that have disrupted public order. The Riyadh Agreement, and subsequently the formation of the Presidential Leadership Council, represented serious political attempts to integrate and unify these forces under the umbrella of the Ministries of Interior and Defense. However, their practical implementation on the ground continues to face challenges that require sustained administrative and security resolve.
The importance of stability in Aden as a temporary capital
The stability of the interim capital, Aden, is a cornerstone for the success of the Presidential Leadership Council and the Yemeni government. Without a unified and effective security apparatus, the state will find it difficult to manage complex economic and service-related issues, attract foreign investment, or even ensure the return of diplomatic missions and international organizations to operate from within the country. Therefore, establishing security in Aden is not merely a routine procedure, but a strategic imperative for bolstering Yemeni legitimacy in the eyes of the international community.
Expected impact locally and regionally
The strict implementation of these directives is expected to indirectly improve the living conditions of citizens, as security is closely linked to currency stability and the availability of basic services. Regionally, stability in Aden sends reassuring messages to donor countries and the Saudi-led Arab Coalition, indicating that Yemeni institutions are capable of absorbing support and efficiently managing liberated areas, thus paving the way for further development and reconstruction projects in the near future.
